Edensaw Woods is your
trusted specialty decking specialist and supplier in Seattle-Tacoma, Washington, offering only high-quality specialty decking like garapa decking, tigerwood decking, and decking accessories. We carry practically every type of specialty decking wood you may want.
Specialty decking provides homeowners and outdoor enthusiasts with a variety of premium options for creating beautiful and long-lasting outdoor environments. Specialty decking materials deliver excellent quality, beauty, and performance, whether you're building a deck for your backyard, patio, or poolside area. These materials often have distinguishing qualities that set them apart from standard decking options. The purpose of specialized decking is to give homeowners durable, low-maintenance decking solutions that will endure the test of time and enhance the overall appearance of their outdoor spaces.
Premium-grade hardwoods or composite materials designed to withstand rot, decay, and insect damage are commonly used for specialty decking. This type of decking requires less upkeep than regular options, allowing homeowners to spend more time enjoying their outdoor spaces rather than continuously maintaining them.
Decking Hardwood Profiles and Performance - When choosing between specialty hardwoods like Garapa and Tigerwood, key metrics like hardness and fire resistance are crucial:
- Garapa Decking: This high-grade material is known for its beautiful golden-brown hue and natural splinter resistance, making it comfortable for bare feet. Its durability is measured by the Janka hardness scale at approximately 1700 lbf, making it harder than domestic Oak. It also holds a high Class A fire rating when left untreated, similar to concrete and steel.
- Tigerwood Decking (Goncalo Alves): This high-end material is recognized for its eye-catching dark stripes and long-lasting sturdiness. It boasts a significantly higher Janka hardness of approximately 1850 lbf to 2170 lbf, providing superior resistance to dents and wear. It is also dimensionally stable, minimizing warping, cupping, and twisting.
Garapa decking is sourced from the garapa tree, which is endemic to South America, specifically Brazil. Garapa decking's natural splinter resistance makes it a safe and comfortable barefoot walking surface, which is ideal for pool decks, patios, and outdoor dining areas.
Garapa decking is distinguished by its distinctive golden-brown hue, which lends a warm and inviting aesthetic to outdoor spaces. The color may darken over time, generating a deeper and richer patina, enhancing the visual appeal. This decking material is in high demand due to its distinct coloring and ability to suit a wide range of architectural styles and landscapes.
Tigerwood decking is derived from the Astronium genus of trees, which are indigenous to Central and South America, including Brazil and Peru. It is also well regarded for its dimensional stability. When compared to other decking materials, it has a low shrinkage and expansion rate, which helps to minimize warping, cupping, and twisting.
Tigerwood decking gets its name from its distinct and eye-catching coloring, which resembles tiger fur patterns. It has a dark brown to reddish-brown base hue with pronounced dark streaks or stripes that give it a distinct and exotic appearance. Tigerwood decking is a popular choice for people looking for a visually appealing and attention-grabbing outdoor decking solution because of its vibrant color variety.
Weathering and Maintenance in the PNW - Specialty hardwoods are naturally low-maintenance, but their appearance depends on the homeowner's preference:
- Aging Process (Graying): If left untreated, both Garapa and Tigerwood will gradually turn a soft, silvery-gray color over 6 - 12 months due to UV exposure. This natural patina is highly durable and requires no ongoing maintenance.
- Color Retention: To maintain the original rich, warm colors, the deck must be treated every 12 - 18 months with a high-quality UV-blocking penetrating oil finish specifically designed for hardwood decks. This is especially important in the cloudy Pacific Northwest where the deck remains damp longer.
- Cleaning: Regardless of finish, the deck should be cleaned annually with a mild soap and water solution to remove surface dirt and mold spores, especially in areas with persistent moisture.
You may further customize your outside space with
decking accessories such as rails, lights, pergolas, deck screws, and deck fasteners to suit your taste and create a cohesive design.
Fastening Systems for Hardwoods - Due to the density and value of exotic hardwoods, hidden fastener systems are highly recommended:
- Hidden Fasteners: These systems attach the board to the joist using clips that slide into grooves cut into the side of the deck board. This method eliminates visible screws, protects the fastener from the elements, and prevents moisture from entering the board through the top, maximizing the deck's lifespan and aesthetic appeal.
- Pre-Drilling: Because of the extreme density of Garapa and Tigerwood, pre-drilling is mandatory even when face-screwing. Failure to pre-drill will result in broken screws or splitting the ends of the deck boards.
When looking for specialty decking for your outdoor projects, it's critical to work with a reliable source. Edensaw Woods is a retailer that specializes in unique and quality decking materials. Edensaw offers a simple and dependable way to discover and buy decking solutions, ensuring that you have access to high-quality materials that match your needs. You can explore the numerous categories of
specialized decking we have on offer by visiting our website and finding the ideal materials to bring your outdoor vision to reality.
As your local domestic & exotic supplier, local marine & cabinet grade plywood supplier, local rough sawn & surfaced lumber supplier, local wood veneer supplier, local hardwood flooring supplier, and local specialty decking supplier, Edensaw Woods proudly serves Seattle-Port Townsend-Tacoma and the nearby Pacific Northwest region. For a full list of our
products and
services, please
contact us for assistance.